Oregon-Washington Pea Growers Association
An Organization of Pea Growers Farming in the Blue Mountain Area

At this time we represent the majority of the pea growers in the area from Walla Walla to Hermiston. In order to sell your product we have to provide our customers with good service and the best quality available. To do this we provide the following functions to our members.

  1. Negotiate with the processors to obtain the best price the market will bear.
  2. Take responsibility for knowing the national market.
  3. Stimulate the distribution of information by newsletters and visitations, regarding market changes, technical developments and industry conditions
  4. Provide quality control service by checking tenderometers, mill dockage and hand dockage at each processor.
  5. Support agricultural research.
  6. Actively pursue pesticide registrations needed by our growers.
  7. Monitor and participate in legislative activity as it relates to our growers.
  8. Represent row crop issues on environmental councils.
  9. Operate a financially viable association and stimulate its growth in order to serve its members in the best possible manner.

Annual Meeting - To Be Announced

July 2, 2003

 

 

The 2003 green pea season is as unpredictable as any I’ve seen. The frozen pea inventory is at the lowest level of the past 5 years. Most every area in the country has increased the planting intentions in order to take advantage of improved market conditions and demand for product. That is the easy part of the equation. Getting the production and the quality required to meet the market needs has been another challenge.

Current Frozen and Canned Pea Inventory Situation

REGIONAL HOLDINGS OF FROZEN GREEN PEAS – MAY 1

In 1,000 Pounds

2002

03' Share

2002

02' Share

% Change

Middle Atlantic

13,743

20.8%

20,704

15.5%

-33.6%

East North Central

12,205

18.5%

21,591

16.2%

-43.5%

West North Central

6,055

9.2%

3,607

2.7%

67.9%

South Altantic

4,072

6.2%

4,463

3.3%

-8.8%

Mountain

2,309

3.5%

10,717

8.0%

-78.5%

Pacific

25,322

38.4%

69,490

52.1%

-63.6%

Other

2,220

3.4%

2,837

2.1%

-21.7%

Total US

65,926

 

 

133,409

 

 

-50.6%

Canners intend to contract 108,100 acres this season, up 10% from last year. Current prices for 24/300 fancy 4 peas are trading between $8.50-$9.50 per case and foodservice 6/10 cases are between $15.00-$16.00 per case, f.o.b. Midwest. The current IQF bulk price seems to be in the $0.35-$0.36 range. This is up slightly from last year.

Planting Intentions for 2003

PROCESSING ACREAGE OF PEAS – 2003

  2003 2002 % Difference
For Canning 108,100 98,300 10.0%
For Freezing 135,100 130,200 3.8%
Total US 243,200 228,500 6.4%

 

PER CAPITA CONSUMPTION OF FROZEN PEAS

Pounds Farm Weight

1989 2.0 1994 2.1 1999 2.0
1990 2.2 1995 2.1 2000 2.1
1991 2.3 1996 1.9 2001 2.0
1992 2.0 1997 2.0 2002 1.7 preliminary
1993 1.9 1998 1.9 2003 1.9 forecast

Harvest Status

The Northwest was the first area to have new product available for the market. However, the July weather in June caused serious quality problems for the initial two weeks of the harvest. Because of the demand for product, every processor tried to harvest every available pea. Some acreage was actually abandoned but acreage was swapped back and forth between processors in an attempt to avoid further bypass or abandonment and to get back on top of quality. Yields were good on the early season peas, especially the irrigated peas in the Columbia Basin.

The high temperatures affected quality and also have had an adverse effect on the later season peas. Yields are now back to normal or below normal, tenderometer readings are for the most part back to plan, but the quality is variable from the heat stress and dry conditions..

The current assessment is that the Northwest will not make the planned pack and will have a higher than planned sub standard pack. This should help to keep the inventory situation in short supply status going into next season.

The Midwest is just getting well underway with harvest. All early indications are the pack will be on plan for both yield and quality. However, it is way too soon to make any season projections until more of the pack is completed. The Midwest just has the makings of a good crop.

The Northeast had excessive rain throughout the planting season and will likely feel the effect of bunching and excess moisture conditions. They just started harvest this week and it is too early to tell what the outcome will be.

Local Update

A special thanks to everyone who supported keeping the Umatilla County Extension Vegetable position. It now looks like Tom Darnell will continue on as our Vegetable Agent.

Best regards,

 

Mike Shelby
Director